The Blog

Celebrating Advent

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Could you imagine a time before the celebration of Christmas even existed? Or a time before a world that wasn’t filled with sin or hopelessness? Israel was waiting and wondering if the prophecy in Isaiah was really going to be fulfilled. Or was a Messiah really going to be born?

Over the next 5 weeks I will be doing a series of topics about The Christmas story. Our hope and prayer from Alaska Christian Women’s Ministry is that even with the busyness of Christmas we keep Christ at the center of our Christmas celebrations. One way to keep Christ in the center is to celebrate Advent (which means coming) with our families.

There are many ways to celebrate Advent and there are no right or wrong ways to celebrate. Celebrating Advent enhances The Christmas Story and carries on Jesus’ legacy He left behind. Celebrating Advent and Christmas allows the birth of Jesus story to be told and carries of His story through us.

Over the years, our family has adopted ways to celebrate advent that helps keep the focus of Christmas on Christ and enhances the deeper meaning of The Christmas Story.

5 Ways to Enhance Our Advent Celebration:

Advent Calendar– I love the idea of the Advent calendar. Everyday starting with December first it is a way to fill the month of December by telling the Christmas story. Each day is a little piece of the story until gradually it builds to the birth of Jesus. Our calendar also becomes an ornament we hang on our tree after we read each day. The Advent calendar is a great daily reminder of the story of baby Jesus.

2. Nativity set- Our family has a acquired a few nativity sets over the years. Each year when we decorate for Christmas, the nativity scenes are part of our Christmas decorations. It’s a way to tell the Christmas story to younger children. When setting up the scenes we are reminded of the story of baby Jesus and everything Mary and Joseph went through in order to give birth in the stable. We can see how Jesus wasn’t surrounded by royalty, kings and riches, but shepherds, farm animals and his parents.

3. Singing and Learning Christmas Carols- When Christmas comes our family loves to play Christmas music in our home. It is a way to fill our ears with joyous noise and celebrate the meaning of Christmas through the gift of song. Each year we attend our church’s Christmas pageant where we sing Christmas carols and see the story of baby Jesus unfold through the live nativity scene.

4. Operation Christmas Child– Every year we participate in giving as a part of our Christmas celebration just as the Magi gave gifts to Mary and Joseph for the birth of Jesus. Each year we participate in Operation Christmas Child where we give shoeboxes filled with gifts for children in other countries. It is a way for kids to hear the beautiful message of the gospel usually for the first time ever.

Other ways to celebrate advent include- Advent Candle- Lighting candles to remind us of the light of Jesus Church- Attending Christmas Eve Services Sending Christmas Cards with the Christmas Story message Thankfulness- write down what you are thankful for and hang it on your tree

Before the busyness of the Christmas season begins, start your month off by planning time with your family each day to retell one of the greatest stories ever—The Christmas story. Make Advent celebration part of your Christmas story.

May Christ be the reason for our season.

How do you celebrate Advent with your family?

What is the your favorite way to celebrate Advent?

Would you like to know more about The Christmas Story? Join me every Monday over the next 4 weeks to learn more about the birth of Jesus and the deeper meaning of The Christmas Story.

About Madison Rosser

I am a life-long Alaskan who has a zest for adventure, people, and Jesus doing BIG things. My husband and I spent our first two years of marriage overseas in Indonesia, teaching at an international school. Now we're back in Alaska, busy being teachers in local public schools, hiking mountains, and loving on our students and neighbors. No "littles" of our own yet, but I call my 120 middle schoolers "my kids," and if going to their music concerts is foretelling of what my future holds, I will be THAT parent who is a weepy mess whenever her children do anything that requires hard work, discipline, and bravery. I have an affinity for coffee, pretty dishes, Juanita's tortilla chips, good literature, organizing closets, and people overcoming. I am honored to write for this blog, and I love the opportunity it presents for me to discipline myself on a weekly basis to reflect on God's work in my life.

The evening Women’s class is held on Mondays from 6:30-8:00 pm at CrossPoint church located next to Burlington Coat Factory at 1920 W. Dimond Blvd. Children ages 6-18 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week so it makes for great discussion at the dinner table! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/32 to join this Women’s class.

The evening Men’s class is held on Mondays from 6:55-8:15 pm at Faith Christian Community church located at 4240 Wisconsin Street in the Turnagain area. Children ages 6-18 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/31 to join this Men’s class.

The Women’s day class is held on Thursdays from 9:25-11:00 am downtown at First Baptist Church located at 1100 W. 10th Avenue downtown. Children ages 0-5 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week and yes, even these little lambs can learn the bible. Lessons are age appropriate and enriching! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/30 to join this Women’s class.

The evening Women’s class is held on Mondays from 6:30-8:00 pm at CrossPoint church located next to Burlington Coat Factory at 1920 W. Dimond Blvd. Children ages 6-18 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week so it makes for great discussion at the dinner table! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/32 to join this Women’s class.

The evening Men’s class is held on Mondays from 6:55-8:15 pm at Faith Christian Community church located at 4240 Wisconsin Street in the Turnagain area. Children ages 6-18 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/31 to join this Men’s class.

The Women’s day class is held on Thursdays from 9:25-11:00 am downtown at First Baptist Church located at 1100 W. 10th Avenue downtown. Children ages 0-5 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week and yes, even these little lambs can learn the bible. Lessons are age appropriate and enriching! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/30 to join this Women’s class.

The evening Women’s class is held on Mondays from 6:30-8:00 pm at CrossPoint church located next to Burlington Coat Factory at 1920 W. Dimond Blvd. Children ages 6-18 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week so it makes for great discussion at the dinner table! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/32 to join this Women’s class.

The evening Men’s class is held on Mondays from 6:55-8:15 pm at Faith Christian Community church located at 4240 Wisconsin Street in the Turnagain area. Children ages 6-18 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/31 to join this Men’s class.

The Women’s day class is held on Thursdays from 9:25-11:00 am downtown at First Baptist Church located at 1100 W. 10th Avenue downtown. Children ages 0-5 are welcome and will be taught and study the same Bible passages each week and yes, even these little lambs can learn the bible. Lessons are age appropriate and enriching! Go online to https://www.bsfinternational.org/class/30 to join this Women’s class.